1. Scientific Method

2. Conducting Experiments

3. What is the scientific method?
A logical and orderly way of solving problems
It enables scientists to organize their work
Following it helps scientists to be sure of the results at the end of an experiment

4. Scientific Method Steps
State a Problem
Research and Gather Information
Form a Hypothesis
Experiment (Testing the Hypothesis)
Analyzing the Data
Draw Conclusions

5. Stating the Problem
Once you have observed something, you may have a question about it.
A scientific problem is always stated as a question. Ex: Does the amount of potassium affect how tall a plant grows?

6. Research and Gathering Information
Observations: any information gathered through your 5 senses
Quantitative observations always involve a number or measurement. Ex: My sneaker weighs 2 pounds.
Qualitative observations do not have a number. Ex: My sneaker is smelly.
Libraries
Experts
Internet

7. Hypothesis An educated guess
Should be an answer to the question you posed as your problem
Written as an “If. . .then “ statement.
Ex: If the amount of potassium increases, then plant height will also increase

8. Experiment This is the testing of your hypothesis
Experiments have variables
A variable is something that could change during the experiment.
In a good experiment, the scientist only tests 1 variable at a time.
The independent variable is the part of the experiment that the scientists is testing or manipulating. Based on our previous hypothesis, the independent variable would be the amount of potassium the plants are given. The independent variable will be graphed on the x- axis.
The dependent variable is the effect of the independent variable. In our example, the dependent variable would be the effect the potassium had on the plants such as a change in growth rate. The dependent variable is graphed on the y-axis.

9. Experiments, con’t Experiments have a control.
A control is the experimental setup used as a basis of comparison. In our example, the group of plants that are ……………..would be the control group.
Experiments have constants.
In a good experiment all factors other than the independent variable must be kept constant. In our example, the constants would be……….
Control
a. To verify or regulate (a scientific experiment) by conducting a parallel experiment or by comparing with another standard. b. To verify
The American Heritage Dictionary

10. Experiment, con’t During the experiment: Follow procedures exactly
Keep a record of observations and numerical data.
Graph the data.

11. Analyze and Evaluate Interpret The Data
Does the experiment need to be revised and repeated because it was flawed in some way?
Can the results be repeated?
Did the experiment confirm or deny the hypothesis?

12. Conclusion
Your conclusion should state whether your hypothesis was “supported” or “not supported” by the data you gathered.
It should also include any sources of error (things that may have gone wrong) in your experiment.
Your experiment should be reproducible.
You should communicate your results to others.

13. Scientific Theory
A theory attempts to explain why nature behaves as it does.
A theory is based on many observations and /or experiments.
A theory accepted today might be discarded at some time in the future.
Ex: Kinetic Theory, Big Bang Theory

14. Scientific Laws
Describes how nature behaves without explaining why nature behaves that way.
Are generally experimental in nature - that is, they derive from, and generally talk about the results of experiment.
Can be expressed most simply and concisely in mathematical form.
EX: Boyle’s Law, Newton’s Law

15. Observations
Observe the picture or color picture for exactly 30 seconds. Look at everything you think might be important

16. What time was it on the clock?
How many people were in the scene? How many males? females?
Describe the person at the front of the line. Was it a man or a woman? Was he or she wearing a hat? What kind of clothes was the person wearing? Could you tell how tall the person was? Did he or she have any distinguishing features?
What day of the month was it?
Did you notice anything unusual in the picture?